Let’s look at a typical Job description, the types of nanny roles
employer demand, pay rates, qualifications
Nanny Job Description
The job description of a professional nanny varies a lot depending on the needs of each particular family but usually involves most or all of the following:
- feed, wash and dress children
- plan and supervise the children’s daily activities
- play and do learning activities with children
- behaviour guidance
- infant care
- give advice and support to new mothers
- care for sick children in the home
- keep records of children’s learning and development etc
- do everyday household tasks for the children such as cleaning and laundry
- plan and prepare meals for children and sometimes for family members
- drive children to and from early childhood services, school or other activities
- supervise and help school-aged children with homework
- do grocery shopping for the family
Just as families have different needs, there are lots of different types of nanny job
- a live-in nanny lives in the family home, often in a separate apartment there, or with their own room. A live-out nanny lives at her own place and goes to work with the family each day.
- a manny or male nanny is often employed by well-off solo mothers who work at their careers full time and have boys. This is to give the boys a male role model and also to get them involved in outdoor sports and adventures.
- a nanny-share involves working for two families usually in one or other of their family homes. Because they share the costs it’s more affordable.
- a night nanny looks after the needs of an infant overnight to let their parents sleep (nappy changes, feeds etc)
- maternity nannies have extra training or experience in helping and supporting mothers with the care of new-borns and are very well paid
- Note: au pairs are different from professional nannies. They are usually an international traveller who often has little or no experience working with children. An au pair assists with a few household tasks plays with the children and receives room, board, and some pocket money in return.
Employer demand for nannies and rates of pay
Did Mary Poppins need a qualification?
Mary Poppins didn’t need a qualification because in the past childcare was often provided by unqualified people. This would often just involve feeding the kids, changing their nappies and plonking them in front of a TV. These days professional nannies and home-based carers also educate and provide lots of exciting learning activities for the children following a programme set down by the Ministry of Education. This means they need formal training as well as to understand patterns of child development and education. They need a qualification in early childhood education and care.
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